New Delhi: India are in a far better position to beat England in a repeat of their T20 semi-final clash in this edition of the tournament, believes Paul Collingwood.
Two years ago, England defeated India by 10 wickets in the semis in Adelaide and then went on to win the tournament. But on Thursday, its unlikely that the match would go along the same way, the former all-rounder said.
“Honestly, I can’t see India losing this time. England will need something extraordinary to beat them,” Collingwood told Star Sports.
Not only do India have a better form guide, they also have a score to settle having lost two years ago. Undefeated in the tournament so far, India have beaten Pakistan and Australia to storm into the semis.
“India, with their well-rounded squad, stands out particularly for Jasprit Bumrah’s current form. He’s fit, accurate, fast, and highly skilled. No team seems to have an answer for him.
“In a 120-ball game, having someone like Bumrah with his pace for 24 balls makes a huge difference. India has looked confident even in tough situations and on difficult pitches in America.
“Their batters, like Rohit Sharma who played a magnificent innings against Australia, seem to be back in form,” he added.
The pitch at Guyana could play a decisive role as spinners have enjoyed bowling on the surface in recent years.
“The match-up will be magnificent, with both sides adopting an ultra-aggressive approach. The surface in Guyana will be crucial. On a flat pitch, England has the upper hand with their ability to overpower teams. However, a slow, turning pitch would favour India.”
Collingwood said India’s changed approach of batting aggressively from the very beginning will make it difficult for England this time around.
“The previous plan was to attack India aggressively from the start. However, a team like India can’t be surprised by that tactic. In 2022, when India batted first, we knew we could restrict them. Back then, India played conservatively, especially in the first 10 overs, and then tried to catch up later,” he said.
“India’s approach has changed. They understand that this strategy won’t win World Cups. They need to take risks, be brave, and express themselves freely. This new mentality might be criticised if it fails, but to win World Cups, you need to be ahead of the curve and adapt to what other teams are doing globally.”
India take on England in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup on Thursday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
